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Artists fear growing curbs on expression as election nears
Recent instances of perceived intimidation have raised questions about whether New Order-style repression of artistic expression is back.
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"Para Pensiunan 2049" (2049 Retirees) follows the spirit of corrupt leader Doorstoot (left, Butet Kartaredjasa) who becomes restless after his body is denied a burial. (JP/Tarko Sudiarno )
D
ays before the monologue he wrote was to be performed at the Salihara Arts Center in Jakarta on Dec. 14, poet and screenwriter Esha Tegar Putra had other things on his mind.
“We are not all connected, but discussions about Butet were rife in my art circles,” Esha told The Jakarta Post on Dec. 16.
In recent weeks, local artists have become concerned about increasing repression after veteran actor Butet Kartaredjasa and playwright Agus Noor were allegedly threatened by the police to shut down a political play they were putting on, given Butet’s public support for presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo.
On Dec. 1, Butet and Agus claimed they had been subject to intimidation just hours before they were set to perform their political satire Musuh Bebuyutan (Mortal Enemy) at the Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center in Jakarta.
The Cikini Police shared a letter urging the organizer not to distribute election materials, display imagery related to a political party or presidential candidates or engage in other political activities.
Butet eventually signed the letter, though he stated later onstage that the theater company had been intimidated by the police.
Freedom of artistic expression in the country is protected by Law No. 5/2017 on the advancement of culture. Indonesia has also ratified the 2005 UNESCO Convention, which requires the state to protect, fulfill and respect citizens’ right to experience and engage in the arts.
